Garden gig will raise money for Pancreatic Cancer UK in memory of a friend

1:00pm Thursday 4th September 2014 in

Sean Gilbert was a stalwart of Erlestoke Cricket Club

Former pub landlady Sharon Elliott is holding a charity event on Saturday in memory of a close friend who died just five weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Erlestoke Cricket Club stalwart Sean Gilbert, 49, from Devizes was taken ill in June and died on July 17.

Mrs Elliott and his family will hold a Gig In The Garden at The George and Dragon pub in Erlestoke as a celebration of his life and a way of raising money for Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Several singers and bands have been lined up to entertain the crowds from 3pm to midnight, and there will a hog roast and family entertainment.

Mrs Elliott, who used to run the George and Dragon, said: “I am very grateful that the current landlords have passed the pub back to me for the day.

“Sean and I had been friends most of our lives. We first met at Erlestoke village school and then went on to Lavington. He was known and loved by lots of people and we hope they will turn out on Saturday so we can celebrate his life and raise money.

“His death happening so quickly was a terrible shock to us all.”

She hopes to raise £2,000 for the charity, which helps with research.

Mr Gilbert’s parents Mervyn and Fraces, who still live in Erlestoke, his brothers Russell and Jason and his three daughters Jessica, Hannah and Megan will all be at the event.